Types of Goth: Trad, Romantic, Pastel, Cyber and More
Goth is not one look. It's a whole family of styles that grew out of the same dark, dramatic music scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s, then split into dozens of branches. The types of goth can be a fun way to find inspiration, discover new music and understand why your friend in lace and your friend in neon dreadfalls both say they're goth.
Here's a friendly guide to the main styles, what they look like and the music behind them. Most people mix more than one, and that's half the fun.
Trad goth
Where it comes from: The original scene of the late 1970s and 1980s, especially in the UK.
The look: Huge backcombed hair, heavy black eyeliner, white face makeup, black lace, ripped fishnets, pointy boots or creepers, silver crosses and ankhs. Often a little bit thrifted and homemade.
The music: Post-punk and goth rock. Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, The Cure, The Sisters of Mercy, Joy Division and The Cult's early records.
Trad goth is where a lot of people start, and it never goes out of style. If you want the bands, see our list of the best goth bands.
Deathrock
Where it comes from: Early 1980s Los Angeles, where punk got darker and spookier, plus London's Batcave club scene around the same time.
The look: Punkier than trad. Tall mohawks or deathhawks, shredded fishnets, studded belts, patched vests, lots of DIY. A bit of horror-movie camp.
The music: Christian Death, 45 Grave, Kommunity FK and Specimen, with modern bands like Belgrado carrying it on.
Romantic goth
Where it comes from: A softer branch inspired by gothic novels, poetry and old-world drama.
The look: Velvet, lace, flowing skirts, corsets, ruffled shirts, deep reds and purples, candles and roses everywhere.
The music: Dreamy and ethereal sounds like Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance and Love Spirals Downwards, plus gothic rock ballads.
Victorian and Edwardian goth
Where it comes from: A love of 19th-century mourning fashion and literature.
The look: Full skirts, bustles, high collars, cameo brooches, top hats, waistcoats, gloves and parasols. Very theatrical and very elegant.
Where you'll see it: Picnics in old cemeteries, period events and big goth festivals like Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig. Read more in our Leipzig WGT guide.
Gothabilly
Where it comes from: Rockabilly and psychobilly meet goth.
The look: Fifties silhouettes in black, leopard and cherry prints, victory rolls or quiffs, creepers and a lot of horror kitsch.
The music: The Cramps are the classic reference, alongside psychobilly bands like The Meteors.
Cybergoth
Where it comes from: Late 1990s and 2000s club culture, where goth met industrial, EBM and rave.
The look: Bright neon falls or synthetic dreads, goggles, PVC, platform boots, UV-reactive accents, gas masks and dark clothes with bright pops of color.
The music: Industrial, EBM, aggrotech and futurepop. Front 242, VNV Nation, Combichrist and Covenant.
Industrial goth
Where it comes from: The same industrial club scene, but harder and less neon.
The look: Military boots, cargo pants, utility vests, mesh, buzz cuts and shaved sides.
The music: Skinny Puppy, Front Line Assembly, Ministry and Nine Inch Nails.
Pastel goth
Where it comes from: Grew online in the early 2010s, especially on Tumblr.
The look: Pastel pink, lilac, mint and baby blue mixed with black. Cute and creepy prints like bats, skulls and bunnies, platform sneakers, chokers and pastel-dyed hair.
The vibe: Spooky and sweet at the same time. It overlaps with kawaii fashion and creepy-cute culture.
Nu goth
Where it comes from: Also an early 2010s internet style, mixing goth with nineties grunge and occult themes.
The look: Oversized black tees, leggings, wide-brim hats, inverted crosses, crystals, sheer layers and minimal makeup with a dark lip.
The music: Witch house, darkwave and post-punk revival. Think Salem or Crystal Castles.
Whimsigoth
Where it comes from: A nineties look that came back big in the 2020s, inspired by witchy films and mystical style.
The look: Velvet in plum and forest green, flowing dresses, celestial prints, moons and stars, crushed velvet, lots of rings and a cozy, magical feel.
More: Our full whimsigoth style guide has outfit ideas.
Corp goth
Where it comes from: Goths who need to show up to the office.
The look: All-black tailoring, crisp shirts, sleek boots, a bold lip, one statement ring or brooch. Professional on the outside, crypt on the inside.
Gothic Lolita
Where it comes from: Japanese street fashion, with roots in Tokyo's Harajuku scene and visual kei music.
The look: Bell-shaped knee-length skirts with petticoats, lace, bows, headdresses, Mary Janes and doll-like elegance, all in black or dark colors.
The music: Often linked with visual kei bands like Malice Mizer.
Health goth
Where it comes from: A 2010s mix of goth and sportswear.
The look: Black and white athletic gear, mesh, sneakers, techwear details and a sleek, futuristic feel. Goth that can go to the gym.
Mall goth
Where it comes from: The late nineties and 2000s, when goth and nu metal fashion hit chain stores.
The look: Wide-leg pants with chains and straps, band tees, studded chokers, spiked wristbands and lots of black eyeliner.
The music: Nu metal and industrial rock mixed with goth. Korn, Slipknot, Evanescence and Rob Zombie playlists. It's having a big comeback.
Which type of goth are you?
Here's a quick shortcut:
- Love old post-punk records and big hair? Trad goth or deathrock.
- Love velvet, candles and poetry? Romantic or Victorian.
- Love neon, raves and industrial? Cybergoth.
- Love cute and creepy? Pastel goth.
- Love witchy, cozy vibes? Whimsigoth or nu goth.
- Need to look sharp for work? Corp goth.
Most people land in two or three of these. Some days you're romantic, some days you're cyber, and some days you're in a hoodie and boots. All of it counts. For practical looks, check our 40 goth outfit ideas.
Finding your people
Every style has its own little scene, but they all share the same love of dark music and dramatic fashion. Club nights, shows, cemetery walks and festivals are great places to meet people. Online works too: on Alt Chat you can meet goths of every style, set your favorite song on your profile and join live chat rooms. Whatever type of goth you are, there's room for you.
FAQ
How many types of goth are there?
There's no official list, but most people recognize around a dozen common styles, like trad goth, deathrock, romantic goth, cybergoth, pastel goth and nu goth. Lots of people mix several.
What is the difference between trad goth and deathrock?
Both come from the early 1980s. Trad goth centers on post-punk and goth rock bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Sisters of Mercy, while deathrock leans punkier and campier, with ripped fishnets, big hair and bands like Christian Death.
What is the newest type of goth?
Styles like nu goth, health goth and the rise of whimsigoth grew mostly through social media in the 2010s and 2020s. New mixes keep appearing all the time.
Do I have to pick one type of goth?
Not at all. Most goths mix styles depending on the day, the outfit and the night out. The labels are just a fun way to find inspiration and people with similar taste.
